For the first edition of the year we have the participation of the design specialist company 555 International. They shared with HOTEL MANAGEMENT one of their most recent projects: the creation of three new night spaces and several suites for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.
by Alejandra García Vélez
The 555 design team focused on combining the rock style established at the Hard Rock Hotel with a modern twist, which was achieved thanks to a contemporary design adorned by ornamental details typical of this Caribbean destination.
"When we thought about the three night spaces, Sun, Eclipse and Moon, we imagined that each one must have its own defined feel and style to serve the varied clientele that visits the Dominican Republic," said Karen Herold, vice president of design at 555 International.
At Sol, space meant to be the sports hall, guests will find themselves upon entering with a canopy that lines up through the 3,500-square-foot space. The welcome is given by a photo booth located at the entrance, while the living room is surrounded by sofas, on Persian carpets in a palette of reds and yellows.
On the left, the bar draws attention with the presence of collector speakers located as a backdrop to a large number of bottles, while large plasma screens surround the space, while the sky is adorned by chandeliers. The play area located on the right, is composed of pool tables, table football, darts and a stage for live musical performances and DJ equipment.
For guests interested in nature, Eclipse offers an oasis with scenic views surrounding the ocean. This 9,000-square-foot outdoor area serves as an ideal space for those looking to sip a stylish cocktail in a room with woven furniture adorned with lights and private cabanas that offer personalized bar service. To this environment are added three campfires, surrounded by chairs of personalized design that look out to sea.
Finally, at Luna, the property's nightclub, tall columns adorned with luxury curtains give way to large secluded doors that allow entry into the 3,500-square-foot space. 555 International describes the decoration as dramatic and shocking; due, among other things, to the eight-foot-tall purple furniture and the 20-foot-long chesterfield sofas.
At the top of the club are two large floating ceilings with thousands of LED lights reflecting the night sky, accompanied by two seven-foot-long chandeliers. Finally, the bar was designed as an equalization amplifier that changes colors and moves to the rhythm of the music. In the Rockstar Suites, guests can find a luxury baby grand piano, a translucent jellyfish tank flanked by COLUMNS with LED light and a wall that pays tribute to rock stars with photographs by Aerosmith, Kiss and Madonna. Upon entering the living room, elegant and contemporary furnishings adorned with ornamental details encompass the space next to a custom-designed pool table.
Three spacious rooms decorated with reflective gold and silver furnishings set the tone for a sophisticated appearance in each room. The dining room has upholstered panels and beveled mirrors; In addition, guests can enjoy spacious outdoor patios with bathtubs and fireplaces in the suites.
Renew to highlightThis ambitious project took 14 months of work before it could see the final result. The company's spokespersons comment that one of the main challenges during the realization of the project was to keep the resort open and functioning during the renovation; it was also complicated the limitation that existed to get some resources, special materials and handicrafts that were not typical in the Dominican Republic.
As for the trend in design, they comment that "we wanted to create a space that worked at night but also during the day. Therefore, the feeling of the moon is created by hundreds of small lights on the ceiling and the furniture is designed to give it a dramatic look. Also, we have kept the colors light so it looks good during the day." In that sense, the materials used; purple velvet, metallic gold paint, bronze mirrors, accentuate the contrast between cold and hot, day and night.
Finally, 555 International shared its opinion on the impact of renovations on hotels; for them "the remodeling of a property is much more than a new decoration; it really requires a whole thought about how the brand wants to serve customers."
